New Delhi, September 28 (IANS). Before ‘World Heart Day’, a statement from the World Health Organization has come out, in which they said that heart attack and stroke are becoming a global health challenge. It causes 3.9 million deaths every year in the South-East Asia region, including India.
‘World Heart Day’ is celebrated every year on 29 September to increase awareness about heart related diseases (CVD) along with its prevention measures and timely detection. This year the theme of ‘World Heart Day’ has been kept as ‘Use Heart for Action’.
“Cardiovascular disease remains a significant global health challenge,” said Saima Wajed, World Health Organization Regional Director for South-East Asia. More than 18 million people die every year from this disease.
He said, “Most cases are reported from the South-East Asia region. The number of people who die from heart disease here every year is 3.9 million. Of the total deaths in this region, 30 percent are due to heart problems. Half of these deaths occur before the age of 70.
Heart works to pump blood throughout the body, deliver oxygen to the entire body and also supplies nutrients to the body. It plays an important role in expelling carbon dioxide and waste. When the heart does not function properly, serious conditions like heart attack and stroke arise.
Wajed has blamed tobacco consumption, unhealthy food, especially excessive amount of salt, lack of physical activity as well as alcohol consumption for the increasing heart disease.
Along with this, to reduce the cases of heart disease, timely treatment of high blood pressure, sugar, lipid or fat in the body is necessary.
Wajed said, “Apart from this, one in four people in the South-East Asia region suffers from high blood pressure. One in 10 people is suffering from diabetes. Less than 15 percent of these people are receiving effective treatment.
Aster RV Dr. S., Principal Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Hospital, Bengaluru. Venkatesh said that to live a long life it is important to have heart health.
“Life can be saved by paying attention to early symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat,” he said.
–IANS
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